Orange County Boards
Candidate research and notes focused on issues relevant to Israel and the Jewish community
Voter Guide Designations and Criteria – JCAN’s Perspectives
Next to each candidate’s name you will find a color box which reflects our overall assessment of their favorability related specifically to the issues relevant to our OC Jewish community. The criteria used for each ‘box’ is listed below.
Green Squares = Favorable Positions/ No Immediate Concerns noted
Examples include favorable meetings with JCAN, in which the candidate expresses support for policies that promote Jewish community safety, OR public statements supportive of Jewish community safety, including in responses to our questionnaire; AND no other items warranting red flags.
Green Squares with a Gold Ribbon = Proven Upstander for the Jewish Community
Gold ribbons have been reserved for candidates who have previously held elected office and have taken concrete measures in support of our community. This includes measures such as calendaring of Holocaust Remembrance or Jewish American Heritage Month; standing up against discussions of anti-Israel agenda items; intervening on our behalf with other state and local authorities, and/or supporting our lobbying efforts in Sacramento.
Yellow Squares = Some Cause for Concern
Assigned to candidates where we have identified issues that give us pause for concern. This may include inconsistent voting records or declining to complete our questionnaire.
Red = Red Flags are Present
Examples include:
Opposition to or abstention from legislation in support of the Jewish community (e.g., AB715).
Endorsement by CAIR, DSA, Code Pink, or other groups flagged in our index of bad actors.
Stated or demonstrated intention to use their local office to affect matters outside their jurisdiction.
Support for legislation that would harm the Jewish community (e.g., AB2159)
Public statements demonizing or delegitimizing Israel or otherwise applying double standards to Israel [As with the IHRA definition of antisemitism, ordinary criticism of Israel or Israeli policy would not be a red flag.]
Public statements vilifying candidates receiving donations from Jewish or pro-Israel groups.
Refusal to apply existing, otherwise neutral rules, such as time, place, and manner restrictions, or codes of decorum, to unlawful conduct by anti-Jewish groups.
Platforming or being platformed by known anti-Jewish figures (such as Hasan Piker, Nick Fuentes, etc.).
Calling for or endorsing violence against Jews.
White = insufficient information to make an evaluation at this stage
County and Education Board Candidates
Profiles are grouped by office and district, with campaign links, available public references, endorsements, community notes, and questionnaire status.
Vicente Sarmiento (i)
No response given
In August 2025, posted a statement on “the need to stop weapons sales to Israel.” Frequently associates with CAIR.
Governor Gavin Newsom, DPOC, Working Families Party, Orange County Labor Federation (OCLF), CHISPA, OC Register
Nelida Mendoza
Former Santa Ana city council member.
Lincoln Club OC
Kimberly Davis
Unable to send
Not provided.
N/A
James Wallace
Unable to send
Not provided.
California Republican Assembly
Connor Traut
Recognized International Holocaust Remembrance as Mayor of Buena Park.
DPOC, Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys, Orange County Professional Firefighters Local 3631, Orange County Employees Association, Orange County Labor Federation
Fred Jung
Stated in a meeting that he believes in Israel’s right to defend itself; blocked a ceasefire resolution in Fullerton as mayor; attended JCC International Holocaust Remembrance Day recognition; immediately responded to community safety concerns after the Bondi Beach massacre; quickly responded to community concerns regarding unlawful banners on a freeway overpass.
OC Lincoln Club, Noah Blom, Fullerton and Placentia Police Officers Associations
Tim Shaw
Current trustee of OC Board of Education; steadfast supporter of the Jewish community; championed an OCBE letter endorsing AB715 to help ensure its successful enactment.
OCGOP, OC Register, California Women’s Leadership Association
Rose Espinoza
No response given
Not provided.
N/A
Katrina Foley (i)
No response given
Supported Board recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day; spearheaded grant for transportation of OC students to Holocaust Museum.
DPOC 2026, OC Register
Diane Dixon
Unable to send since no usable campaign email
Not provided.
OCGOP, Lincoln Club OC, California Republican Assembly, California Women’s Leadership Association
Lucy Vellema
Unable to send since no usable campaign email
Not provided.
N/A
Lisa Sparks (i)
Supported district development of non-antisemitic ethnic studies curriculum; supported the adoption of the OC Jewish Federation’s Student-to-Student program as a county-wide program; supported AB715.
OCGOP, OC Sheriff Don Barnes
Jason Sams
Not provided.
N/A
